Early Life and Education of George W. Bush: A Complete Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of George W. Bush. From birth to education, explore key events.
George W. Bush served as the 43rd U.S. President (2001-2009). A Republican and son of President George H.W. Bush, he previously served as the 46th Governor of Texas (1995-2000). His presidency was largely defined by the September 11th terrorist attacks, leading to the launch of the War on Terror, including military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Domestically, he enacted education reform through the No Child Left Behind Act, as well as tax cuts and expansion of Medicare. His administration faced criticism for its handling of Hurricane Katrina and the financial crisis of 2008.
July 6, 1946: George W. Bush's Birth
On July 6, 1946, George Walker Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the first child of George H.W. Bush and Barbara Pierce.
1953: Death of Younger Sister
In 1953, George W. Bush's younger sister, Robin, passed away from leukemia at the young age of three, marking a significant loss for the Bush family.
1964: Enrollment at Yale University
In 1964, George W. Bush started his studies at Yale University.
1967: Engagement to Cathryn Lee Wolfman
In 1967, George W. Bush was engaged to Cathryn Lee Wolfman, although the engagement eventually ended.
May 1968: Commissioned into the Texas Air National Guard
In May 1968, George W. Bush was commissioned into the Texas Air National Guard, starting his military service.
1968: Graduation from Yale University
In 1968, George W. Bush graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
1972: Suspension from Flying
In 1972, George W. Bush was suspended from flying for failure to take a scheduled physical exam.
1973: Drilling with Alabama Air National Guard
In late 1972 and early 1973, George W. Bush drilled with the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard.
1973: Enrollment at Harvard Business School
In the fall of 1973, George W. Bush enrolled at Harvard Business School.
November 21, 1974: Honorable Discharge from the Air Force Reserve
On November 21, 1974, George W. Bush was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve.
1975: Graduation from Harvard Business School
In 1975, George W. Bush graduated from Harvard Business School with an MBA degree, becoming the only U.S. president to hold this degree.
September 4, 1976: Arrest for DUI
On September 4, 1976, George W. Bush was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Kennebunkport, Maine.
1977: Establishment of Arbusto Energy
In 1977, George W. Bush established Arbusto Energy, a small oil exploration company.
1977: Marriage to Laura Welch
In 1977, George W. Bush married Laura Welch, a schoolteacher and librarian, after a brief courtship.
1978: Arbusto Energy Operations Begin
In 1978, Arbusto Energy, established by George W. Bush, began its operations in oil exploration.
November 25, 1981: Birth of Twin Daughters
On November 25, 1981, Laura Bush gave birth to fraternal twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna.
1984: Merger with Spectrum 7
In 1984, Arbusto Energy merged with the larger Spectrum 7, and George W. Bush became chairman.
1986: Decision to Give Up Alcohol
In 1986, George W. Bush decided to give up alcohol, attributing his decision to his wife's influence and his faith in God.
April 1989: Purchase of Texas Rangers Stake
In April 1989, George W. Bush arranged for investors to purchase a controlling interest in the Texas Rangers, investing himself.
1994: Candidacy for Texas Governor
In 1994, George W. Bush declared his candidacy for the Texas gubernatorial election.
1998: Sale of Texas Rangers Shares
In 1998, George W. Bush's sale of his shares in the Texas Rangers brought him over $15 million from his initial investment.
June 10, 2000: Jesus Day Proclamation in Texas
On June 10, 2000, George W. Bush proclaimed Jesus Day in Texas, urging Texans to serve those in need.
2002: No Child Left Behind Act Signed into Law in 2002
In early 2002, George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law, aiming to measure and close the gap between rich and poor student performance and provide options to parents with students in low-performing schools.
March 2009: First Post-Presidency Speech
In March 2009, George W. Bush delivered his first post-presidency speech in Calgary, Alberta.
September 15, 2009: Al-Zaidi Released Early
On September 15, 2009, Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the journalist who threw shoes at President Bush in December 2008, was released early from prison for good behavior.
November 5, 2009: Visit to Fort Hood Shooting Survivors
On November 5, 2009, following the Fort Hood shooting, George W. Bush and Laura Bush privately visited the survivors and the victims' families.
January 2010: Clinton Bush Haiti Fund Established
In January 2010, at President Obama's request, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton established the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to raise money for relief efforts after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
2010: Attended Every Home Playoff Game During Rangers Season
George W. Bush attended every home playoff game during the Rangers' 2010 season and, accompanied by his father, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for Game 4 of the 2010 World Series on October 31.
May 2, 2011: Obama informs Bush about Bin Laden's death
On May 2, 2011, President Obama called George W. Bush to inform him that Osama bin Laden had been killed.
August 6, 2013: Coronary Artery Blockage Treatment
On August 6, 2013, George W. Bush was successfully treated for a coronary artery blockage with a stent, which was discovered during an annual medical examination.
2016: Statement on Dallas Police Shooting
In 2016, George W. Bush released a statement regarding the shooting of Dallas police officers, expressing heartbreak and condemning the violence.
January 20, 2017: Bush attends Trump's inauguration
On January 20, 2017, George W. Bush and his wife attended Donald Trump's inauguration. Images of Bush struggling with a rain poncho went viral. Bush allegedly called the ceremony "some weird shit".
February 2017: Bush Releases Book of Veteran Portraits
In February 2017, George W. Bush released "Portraits of Courage", a book featuring his portraits of veterans.
February 2017: Bush Releases 'Portraits of Courage'
In February 2017, George W. Bush released "Portraits of Courage", a book of his paintings of veterans.
September 7, 2017: Bush Partners with Former Presidents for Hurricane Relief
On September 7, 2017, George W. Bush partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama to work with One America Appeal to help victims of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.
September 1, 2018: Bush speaks at John McCain's funeral
On September 1, 2018, George W. Bush attended and spoke at John McCain's funeral at the Washington National Cathedral.
September 2018: Bush Shares Mints with Michelle Obama at McCain Funeral
In September 2018, George W. Bush famously passed mints to Michelle Obama during the funeral of John McCain.
December 2018: Bush Gives Mints to Michelle Obama at his Father's Funeral
In December 2018, George W. Bush gave mints to Michelle Obama again during the funeral of his father.
May 2019: Bush Presents Portrait to Roh Moo-hyun's Family
In May 2019, George W. Bush drew a portrait of former South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun to give to his family on the tenth anniversary of Roh's death.
May 2019: Bush Pays Respects to Roh Moo-hyun
In May 2019, George W. Bush visited South Korea to pay respects to former South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun on the tenth anniversary of his death, delivering a short eulogy.
June 1, 2020: Bush Addresses George Floyd's Murder
On June 1, 2020, George W. Bush released a statement addressing the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests. He acknowledged racial injustices and called for America to examine its "tragic failures".
2020: Bush declines to endorse or attend Republican National Convention in 2020
In 2020, George W. Bush did not give any endorsements during the presidential election, nor did he attend the Republican National Convention.
January 6, 2021: Bush Denounces U.S. Capitol Attack
On January 6, 2021, George W. Bush condemned the U.S. Capitol attack, calling it an "insurrection" and comparing it to how election results are disputed in a "banana republic".
April 2021: Bush reveals he wrote in Condoleezza Rice for president
In April 2021, George W. Bush told People magazine that he did not vote for either Donald Trump or Joe Biden in the 2020 election, and instead wrote in Condoleezza Rice.
July 14, 2021: Bush reaffirms opposition to troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
On July 14, 2021, George W. Bush reaffirmed his opposition to President Biden's withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, calling the plan "a mistake".
September 11, 2021: Bush Commemorates 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks
On September 11, 2021, George W. Bush gave a speech at the Flight 93 National Memorial on the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, praising the heroism of those on Flight 93 and the spirit of America.
2023: Threw First Pitch in World Series
In 2023, George W. Bush threw the first pitch in Game 1 of the World Series.
July 13, 2024: Bush Condemns Assassination Attempt on Trump
On July 13, 2024, George W. Bush condemned the assassination attempt on former President Trump, calling it "cowardly".
January 20, 2025: Bush attends Trump's second inauguration
On January 20, 2025, George W. Bush and his wife attended Donald Trump's second inauguration.
